SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 01-09-2019

RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY “David spares Saul’s life”: Believers have the responsibility to love their neighbours as themselves. David’s choice to forgive Saul, who went out to kill him, should serve as an example to us. We should forgive our enemies and pray for them. Like David passionately counselled Saul, so should we preach the gospel of Christ passionately to unbelievers. And although Saul approached David with thousands, with God, David was more than a conqueror. No evil will overcome us if we remain in Christ’s love (Romans 8:37).

TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 758: THE FOOLISHNESS OF NABAL MEMORY VERSE: …… “Let not my lord I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send” (1 Samuel 25:25). TEXT: 1 Samuel 25:1-44

INTRODUCTION David moved to the wilderness of Paran near Carmel to escape from Saul, who was after his life. There he encountered shepherds tending the flocks of Nabal who was wealthy but also insolent and contentious. David sent ten of his young men with a request for hospitality to Nabal after hearing that he was shearing his sheep. Nabal turned down David’s request. His refusal infuriated David who decided to revenge. Abigail quickly stepped in and remedied the situation.

DAVID’S REQUEST AND NABAL’S FOOLISH RESPONSE 1 Samuel 25-1-11 Nabal was a wealthy shepherd; but he was not wise. With God’s prosperity, we should also ask for His wisdom. Sheep shearing was an elaborate gathering marked by entertainment and festivity which was common among wealthy people. David’s request was at a convenient time; it gave opportunity for sharing and caring. It was polite and courteous. Also, David and his men had protected Nabal’s flock from the Philistines. Nabal bluntly turned down David’s request with insults. We should remember the needy in our prosperity.

DAVID’S REQUEST AND NABAL’S FOOLISH RESPONSE 1 Samuel 25-1-11 QUESTION 1: What motivated David’s request from Nabal? – 1 Samuel 25:2-4 QUESTION 2: What should be the attitude of people endowed with wealth, power and position? – 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Proverbs 3:17

REVENGE MISSION AGAINST NABAL AND ABIGAIL’S REACTION 1 Samuel 25:12-35 David decided to kill Nabal and his household because he turned down his request. His reaction was wrong because it was impulsive and revengeful. He decided to retaliate and did not show kindness to Nabal like he did to Saul. We should do good to people even when they do evil to us. As soon as Abigail heard of her husband’s behaviour, she took some presents and hasted to meet David. She took responsibility for her husband’s action and spoke softly to them. What a lesson!

REVENGE MISSION AGAINST NABAL AND ABIGAIL’S REACTION 1 Samuel 25:12-35 QUESTION 3: What do we learn from Abigail’s courage to step into the situation and make peace between the parties? – 1 Samuel 25:18-20; Proverbs 15:1 QUESTION 4: What do we learn from the way Abigail handled the situation? – 1 Samuel 25:18,23,24,27,29

DEATH OF NABAL AND DAVID’S MARRIAGE TO ABIGAIL 1 Samuel 25:36-44 Nabal was feasting while his life was in danger. Sinners do the same! Abigail was patient; she waited till the next day before telling Nabal what David had planned for him. It is no use preaching to the drunk. The news made Nabal fear; he died ten days later. Death is inevitable. We must prepare for eternity. David married Abigail after Nabal’s death though he had other wives. Polygamy is not allowed for New Testament believers. QUESTION 5: What is God’s approved standard for Christian marriage? – Matthew 19:4,5; Genesis 2:23,24

CONCLUSION David requested hospitality from Nabal but he turned down his request and sent David’s men away with insults, though David had taken care of his shepherds. We should be kind to people. David decided to kill Nabal and his household. We should not retaliate but repay evil with good. Abigail quickly intervened and prevented bloodshed. We should be wise and prompt in action. Nabal died as a foolish man. We must prepare for eternity before it is too late.